Information provided by the Town of Hilton Head News Release
Overall schedule updates, temporary closure of Fish Haul Beach Park announced
July 11, 2025
The Town of Hilton Head Island's beach renourishment project is scheduled to start on August 6, 2025, at Fish Haul Beach, off Mitchelville Road on the Island's north end.
This vital project, which happens every eight to 10 years, involves replacing sand along sections of the shoreline that have been lost over time to natural erosion and storm activity. As part of the construction activities and to ensure the public’s safety, Fish Haul Beach Park (120 Mitchelville Road) will be closed for approximately five days starting Aug. 6, weather permitting. Overall, the $47.5 million project will occur in three phases, with an anticipated completion date of May 2026. The schedule is as follows:
Phase I
August 6 to August 15 - Fish Haul area
August 15 to September 11 - Pine Island
September 15 to November 13 - Port Royal (The Heel)
Phase II
November 13 to February 14 - Central Island including beach areas along Palmetto Dunes
February 14 to May 8 - South Island and South Beach areas
Phase III
Pine Island Breakwater Structures (Schedule to be determined)
"It's a priority to preserve, protect and cherish our beaches - one of our greatest assets. Our Island depends on their ongoing vitality. The Town's role is to carry out the community's collective dedication to this environmental core value through our investment in restoration and maintenance," said Mayor Alan Perry. "And fortunately, due to the foresight of Town leaders before us and thanks to our millions of visitors, this project is funded through our beach preservation fund and capital improvement program."
Beach renourishment is a moving work zone that typically progresses at about 1,000 feet per section-just 2 percent of the Island's total beach area. On average, only 300 feet of beach will be impacted per day. Temporary beach access ramps and clear signage will help direct beachgoers safely around active work areas to open areas of the beach. As soon as an active site is completed, the equipment will move down the beach and the newly renourished section will open.
Special protection has been made for wildlife that may be impacted because of the project. All work will be supervised by consultant teams under contract to monitor sea turtles and migratory shorebirds. Additionally, per a requirement of the beach renourishment permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Town amended its municipal code to restrict animal/dog activity in an area adjacent to Fish Haul Creek beach park. This requirement protects endangered shorebird species that migrate and nest there. Signage is posted and no other beach areas will be affected. Dogs are still allowed per the Town's seasonal rules - only a small section of the creek area adjacent to the beach park is restricted.
Marinex Construction, Inc., the contractor for the project, began mobilizing equipment this month in preparation for the work. This includes positioning their offshore barges and staging miles of steel pipes to pump sand from ocean shoals back to beaches. Crews will be working around the clock daily.
The beach renourishment process helps to:
Preserve a healthy shoreline ecosystem for wildlife such as sea turtles and shorebirds.
Protect beachfront properties and infrastructure from storms.
Provide wider, more enjoyable beaches for residents and visitors alike.
The public is encouraged to stay updated on the project’s progress—including location schedules, an interactive map, photos, FAQs, and more. Please:
Visit the website at https://hiltonheadislandsc.gov/beachrenourish2025/
Sign Up: Get email and text notifications through the Town’s free e-subscription service at https://hiltonheadislandsc.gov/subscribe. Click "Subscribe Today!" and select "Beach Renourishment Project Updates" under topic categories.
Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/townofhhi
Curious about specific areas? Dive into our interactive project map for real-time updates (once the sand starts moving the first week of August) and to see where improvements are happening. https://hiltonheadislandsc.gov/beachrenourish2025/maps/
For more information or answers to questions regarding beach renourishment, please reach out to communications@hiltonheadislandsc.gov.
